Drugs in dirt: Scientists appeal for help - BBC News

US scientists are asking the public to join them in their quest to mine the Earth's soil for compounds that could be turned into vital new drugs.

Spurred on by the recent discovery of a potential new antibiotic in soil, the Rockefeller University team want to check dirt from every country in the world.

They have already begun analysing samples from beaches, forests and deserts across five continents.

But they need help getting samples.

Which is where we all come in.

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Steven Finn & James Anderson lead England to win over India - BBC News

Tri-series, Brisbane:
India: 153 (39.3 overs) Finn 5-33, Anderson 4-18
England: 156-1 (27.3 overs) Bell 88*, Taylor 56*
England won by nine wickets
Scorecard

Steven Finn and James Anderson led England to a morale-boosting nine-wicket thrashing of India in Brisbane.

Finn took 5-33, his one-day best, and Anderson, back after a knee injury, 4-18 as India were bowled out for 153.

Ian Bell then made an unbeaten 88 and James Taylor 56 not out in a stand of 131 as England chased their target inside 28 overs.

The bonus-point win leaves England second in the tri-series table behind Australia, whom they meet on Friday.

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Morgan Stanley income rises despite 'choppy market' - BBC News

US banking giant Morgan Stanley has seen net income more than double after lighter legal fees relating to mortgage-backed securities.

Fourth-quarter earnings for 2014 were $903m (£596m), or 40 cents a share, compared with $336m a year earlier.

The bank's legal expenses were $284m, down from $1.4bn a year earlier.

However, the bank said overall performance had been affected by "choppy market conditions" in the quarter.

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Ukraine conflict: Battles rage in Donetsk and Luhansk - BBC News

 

Dozens of people have been killed or wounded as fighting escalates along the front line in eastern Ukraine and the battle for Donetsk airport continues.

Artillery fire was reported in several areas of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions and a hospital in Donetsk city was hit, reports said.

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